Orgasm Facts

Everything You Need to Know About Orgasms

Plenty has been said about how and why women orgasm, but which claims have the research to back them up? We're collecting results from recent studies and highlighting the juiciest facts about the big "O." Take a look at these surprising finds to learn what makes for better sex, what you can do to prompt your body, and more.

Yep, Size Matters

Based on a 2012 study conducted by Stuart Brody, a psychologist at the University of the West of Scotland, it seems that size does matter when it comes to women who experience vaginal orgasms. Although the size issue has sometimes been attributed to cultural pressure and internalized stereotypes, it's a fact: women do climax more easily with men who have larger penises, preferring 5.8 inches or more.

Better Communication Leads to Better Sex

Looks like there's a case against "no strings attached" sex — a 2011 study at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health revealed that sex is far more enjoyable for people who listen, understand another person's emotions, and empathize with their partner.

It's Possible to Orgasm Every Time

There's really no such thing as "normal" when it comes to how often a woman orgasms. In 2009, researchers Kim Wallen and Elisabeth Lloyd studied 100 female volunteers from ages 18 to 60. Of the group, 11 percent of the women orgasm every time they have sex — and the same number of women have never climaxed.

Exercise Can Cause Orgasms

There's not a clear cause-and-effect connection, but in 2012, researchers at Indiana University found that exercise triggers orgasms — what they called a "coregasm." The study estimates that up to 15 percent of women can come while working out, an experience that's far less common for men.